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Swim21
In November 2006, the London Borough of Redbridge Swimming Club Committee expressed its commitment to becoming Swim 21 accredited. A Swim 21 Project Team has been created.
The following committee members form the Project Team:
- Paul Francis - Chair
- Matthew Cole - Swim 21 Co-ordinator
- Paul Golightly - Committee member (Risk Co-ordinator)
- Paul Robbins - Head Coach
- Chris Stonebridge - Committee Member (Communications & Website administrator)
The Committee took the view that we identified our Swim 21 level as Skill Development. A Swim 21 Skill Development Club ensures that, within a well-managed structure, with effective administration, athletes have quality opportunities to develop technical skill and that they can access a quality programme of coaching and competition.
The Project Team conducted an initial audit of our status in compliance against the criteria/readiness factors specified in the modules for Skills Development. The Team have produced an action plan to enable us to move forward in the accreditation process. The first part is a meeting with the Regional Development Officer on 27th April 2007
Swim 21: What is it?
(Information provided by the ASA)
Swim 21 is the ASA's Club Development model - a planning tool, based on the principles of Long Term Athlete Development, enabling clubs to help athletes, teachers, coaches and administrators to achieve their full potential. It focuses particularly on the needs of athletes - striving to provide them with the best possible support and environment.
Swim 21 Accreditation is a 'Quality mark'. It recognises nationally and regionally the clubs that are committed to providing safe, effective and quality services for the benefit of their members.
Clubs work steadily towards the attainment of a series of outcomes all of which are seen as essential if the right level of support is to be provided at each stage of an athlete's development.
Swim 21 Accreditation is available to ASA clubs of all aquatic disciplines that are positioned at one or more of the four levels of:
- Teaching
- Skill Development
- Competitive Development
- Performance
The ASA has a commitment to achieving its equity targets throughout the sport. Swim 21 is no different and the Association is keen to support clubs in the shared objective of widening the participation base and hence the performance of the sport as a whole.
Clubmark
Clubmark is a Sport England accreditation scheme, which will eventually be accessible to all sports and seeks to ensure that young people are participating within a safe and friendly environment. Swim 21 is recognised by Sport England as a Clubmark accredited scheme and therefore all clubs gaining Swim 21 Accreditation will automatically receive Clubmark status.
Benefits / Outcomes of Swim 21
The benefits of becoming a Swim 21 Accredited Club are mainly seen through the process itself. The programme enhances club management, strengthens the structures and unites the club with a philosophy and programmes that ensures the best environment is available for our swimmers Some key outcomes and benefits are listed below:
Swimmer Achievement
Enables clubs to help swimmers achieve their full potential Swim 21 is a planning tool based upon the needs of swimmers and strives to provide them with the best possible environment.
Recognition
National recognition that you are providing a quality service for all your members National recognition is received through the achievement of Swim 21 accreditation. As such all Swim 21 accredited clubs will be listed on the British Swimming website www.britishswimming.org and in ASA publications.
Recognition by Sport England that your club is safe, effective and child friendly through achievement of Sport England Clubmark Resources.
Resource materials on best practice available to your club - ensuring that your club shows good practise throughout its daily activity. Upon completion of your Audit your club will have access to a wide array of resource materials - in the form of Information Sheets, Templates, Resource Packs and Workshops. These will assist your club through the Swim 21 programme and beyond - your RDO will direct you to the resources that best match the needs of your club.
Funding
Enhanced access to various sources of funding Clubs who are working towards or have achieved Swim 21 Accreditation may be looked upon more favourably when applying for sources of funding. For example. Swim 21 Accredited Clubs are prioritised to form links with local schools and PESSCL (Physical Education, School Sport Club Links) funding is available to support school-club link projects In addition it can be used as a negotiation tool with Local Authorities, in terms of seeking additional water time or a reduction in it's cost as your work towards Swim 21 may help achieve their objectives in terms of quality service provision.
Other benefits that Swim 21 will provide for your club include:
Publicity/ promotion/ recognition & profile
More members
More coaches
More officials/ volunteers
Increased opportunity to secure funding
A more organised & resourced club
School/club links
Greater support from ASA & other networks
Club sustainability/ longevity/ development
Swimmer achievement/development
A successful method of spreading a club's workload
